Low iron and surgery, anyone out there with advice?

Hi there, PS surgery scheduled for March 14th, 3 weeks ago. I am having arms, bl/ba, tt, and brazilian butt lift. Last Friday I had my local internist do my testing since I am having surgery in Mexico. My blood work all came out great except my iron which was 49 and the range is 50-212. About 4 weeks prior to this I started taking iron supplements as soon as I found out about the surgery since I have historically always had low iron levels. I have just emailed the results to the doc in Mexico. My internist here is prescribing an iron supplement that will hopefully help. Anyone had any experience with bringing up their iron levels in just 3 weeks? I am eating a high iron diet of beef, lentils, and iron fortified cereal (total whole grain). I am taking vitamin c with my iron to help with absorption. I don't know what else to do but I would like your advice if the levels can be raised much to bring in more of a mid-level range since the iron is so important for recovery. Thanks, Misty

Sometimes it is not that you are not getting enough iron...it is that your body is not absorbing it well enough.  I had my LBL with low iron.  My only problem was a little dizziness when I first stood up after my surgery.  With rest and supplements....my levels are normal now.  Sometimes surgeons will give you an iron shot to boost your system.  Talk to your surgeon. Connie

...i had my lbl in march 07 and had surgery with low iron...i knew it was low, but didnt realize how low it was until my recovery was taking forever...almost a year later, im not 100% yet and i think its because i am still struggeling with low iron...i began infusions two weeks ago, so no result as of yet... i suggest that your primary doc get you some iv iron before you go...supplements and high iron diet probably wont be effective in such a short time...it also depens on how anemic you are... good luck and take care...

I have to agree with Frankie.....I have been doing Iron Infustions 3 days a week and was unaware mine was so low.....my ferritin was down to 2.3... which is dangerous I have had alot of ongoing infections this last year have had 4 central lines for home health antibiotics and the last time they put in a port because of my infection problems.  In December they found my ferritin level to be that low.... I would have to say if it is low I would rethink having surgery unless it is normal.  But make sure and check with your doctors.....they have the ultimate decisions. Just would not want anyone else to go thru what I have over the last year....... take care jan

your dr can write a prescription for chromgen, or you can order chewable iron from  www.bbvitamins.com  

Misty, Did they tell you what your hematocrit and hemoglobin are? That's the most important thing when you're going into surgery. Low red blood cells means that if you lose blood (and we all lose SOME blood in every surgery) you're more prone to complications. Our bodies use the iron to make RBC's; that's why it's so important. You're low most likely because you aren't absorbing it well, something common in people post WLS. You're doing everything you can. I just want to remind you not to take your iron with ANYTHING else except vitamin C and maybe some orange juice. Taking it with calcium in particular is bad juju, because calcium and iron fight for the same binding sights and will block each other's absorption. Even tea or that fortified cereal is a no no with iron. It's amazing how much better I did once I started taking my iron, by itself, with a glass of OJ. My crit went from 22% way up to 34% in just a few weeks. So yes, it's possible. Good luck! Vickie

Hi Vickie, the only thing I am seeing on the test is the total iron. These test results don't break it down. I knew the tea was a no-no but wasn't aware of the milk. Guess I can eat the iron fortified cereal with a chewable vitamin C and just eat it dry? I try to stay away from orange juice because of its acidity (acid reflux probs) and the sugar content in it. I don't even like the idea of the cereal because of the carb content but since it is a different kind of iron than my beef  (heme) and lentils (non-heme) I thought I would give it a try. My doc prescribed an iron-supplement, not sure if it is the one mentioned above but the pharmacy had to order it and won't be here until Monday. I am still taking my ferrous sulfate and a vegetable based iron supplement  (3 of these) with my 1000 mg of vitamin C at the same time until I get the script.  The PS wrote me back on email and said as long as it doesn't drop when we have the surgery then we are alright. I would love to see it in the 100+ range for a better recovery but not sure if that is possible by then. I have cut out the tea and will also cut out the milk. Thanks for your help. Wish me luck!! Misty

Misty, Sorry I wasn't clear. You can still have iron fortified cereal, milk, etc. But you will absorb the iron BEST if you take it all by itself, with only vitamin C and/or orange juice or some other citrus juice or water.  I usually waited an hour or two before having anything with milk or grains because I read somewhere that the grains can block absorption. So if you can take it either first thing in the morning or last thing before you go to best, you'll get better absorption, as long as it's been a couple of hours since you've eaten. The Vitamin C really helps create an acidic environment, which is what your body needs to break down the iron in the stomach. I'm sure they must have total a hematocrit and hemoglobin, but maybe they just didn't give that to you. But usually a H&H as we call it (or a CBC -- complete blood count which has all the information about your red blood cells as well as your white blood cells) is indicated before surgery. That would tell you if you're anemic. Low iron means you  may be anemic, or become anemic, because you don't have the raw materials to make the RBC's but it's not exactly the same. Clear as mud? ;)

Somewhat clear, thanks. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get down that nasty cereal with Muscle Milk...yuck!  The report I have a copy of doesn't break down the iron. It just gives me the total. Thanks, Misty

Can you possibly get an infusion?  That would bring it up quickly.